2of9Irene Wilson, left, watches as the highlight of the parade organized in her honor wraps up the event: a San Antonio Fire Department ladder truck. Wilson, an outgoing, social person who has found the isolation caused by coronavirus restrictions difficult as have many seniors, was treated to the surprise parade organized by the staff at Franklin Park Alamo Heights where she recently moved. The event honored her 105th birthday Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Other community residents line the sidewalk, observing the 6-foot social distancing from each other as they, too, watched the parade pass by.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

3of9The staff at Franklin Park Senior Community surprises Irene Wilson, left, with a parade that included a San Antonio Fire Department fire truck on her 105th birthday on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

5of9Irene Wilson, left, waves to Charlie Garza in the Aldaco’s van as he passes by in the surprise parade celebrating her105th birthday on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Garza had earlier presented Wilson with a favored margarita, sitting on her walker.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

6of9Irene Wilson, left, receives a two-thumbs-up birthday salute as a surprise parade in her honor passes by Franklin Park Alamo Heights, where she lives. She recently moved to San Antonio from Ohio to be closer to her daughter and the staff at the senior community living center organized the parade to celebrate the lively centenarian’s 105th birthday Wednesday, April 29, 2020.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

7of9Irene Wilson appears to be smiling behind her mask as she watches the parade organized in her honor passing by in front of Franklin Park Alamo heights. She celebrated her 105th birthday on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

8of9Irene Wilson watches as neighbors serenade her with “Happy Birthday” from a coronavirus-safe distance during a surprise celebration in honor of her105th birthday hosted by the staff at Franklin Park Alamo Heights on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

9of9Irene Wilson sits amazed as she receives birthday wishes from passing vehicles during a surprise parade celebrating her 105th birthday organized by the staff at Franklin Park Alamo Heights and attended by scores of neighborhood residents on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff Photographer

When Irene Wilson wheeled her walker outside of Franklin Park Alamo Heights one recent sunny morning — a rare treat in these stay-inside coronavirus times — strands of shiny streamers and bunches of colorful balloons tied to the fence around the senior complex caught her attention.

There were a whole lot of excited people waiting, too, and what looked like a parade about to start.

As she walked closer to the hullabaloo, a staff member surprised her by placing a paper crown on her head and tying balloons to her walker. As Wilson made her way down the sidewalk to the street, where a chair was waiting for her near the curb, she was close enough to read some of the signs people were holding a safe 6 feet away and realized it was all for her.

“You Texans really go at it!” said Wilson, who just moved to San Antonio from Ohio in December.

At one point, the parade stopped and participants rushed from their parked vehicles to get closer to Wilson, joining staff members and spectators to serenade her with a rousing version of “Happy Birthday.”

Amazed by the turnout, Wilson asked her daughter, “How did they get all of these people out here?”

It took some time and effort, but it really wasn’t that hard to draw a crowd, said Porschee Bradley, 38, who spearheaded the event for the oldest resident at Franklin Park.

The life enrichment director said staff members spent a day putting up decorations and knocking on doors in the neighborhood to offer an invitation to the celebration. Most people were happy to participate, to share in the celebration of a major milestone.

“Turning 105 is huge,” Bradley said. “Why not have the party outside?”

In addition to all the new friends, Wilson’s 98-year-old sister and other relatives in far away states tuned in via a Zoom video conference for her big day.

Wilson told family members she’s seen a lot during her lifetime, including the Great Depression and World War II, but the self-isolation imposed by the novel coronavirus has been very difficult.

“She’s being safe like everyone else,” son-in-law Lawrence Kurth, 66, said. “There’s been nothing like she’s gone through in the last few months. We hope this brought her a little joy.”

She was married for 69 years to Dr. Richard Wilson. They raised their four children in Fremont, Ohio, where she lived until her physician husband died. She moved to San Antonio last year to be near her youngest daughter, Abby Kurth, 65.

Wilson had a connection to the city before moving here in December — her husband was stationed at Fort Sam Houston during World War II.

During Wednesday’s parade, participants showered Wilson with gifts, including a large hand-crafted corsage and a freshly made margarita from Aldaco’s restaurant.

It’s not clear exactly how many Americans are 105; figures dating back to 2010 estimated there were 4,220 people who were 105 or older. The U.S. Census reports there are more than 90,000 centenarians living in the United States today.

Kurth said her mother has always had an outgoing personality. Her mental agility, the strength of her voice and her steady steps belie her age.

Her favorite past time is playing games, especially bridge. Kurth said her mother played tennis until a few years ago and played golf well past her 100th birthday. She also enjoys music, especially songs by Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

Kurth said the family calls Wilson “The Bionic Woman.”

Eyes crinkling at the corners, indicating a broad smile behind her mask, Wilson said it’s not advanced technology that keeps her going. It’s her tight-knit family.

“All my people are good people,” Wilson said, “so why wouldn’t I want to live as long as I can?”

Vincent T. Davis started at the San Antonio Express-News in 1999 as a part-time City Desk Editorial Assistant working nights and weekends while attending San Antonio College and working on the staff of the campus newspaper, The Ranger. He completed a 3-month fellowship from the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University in 2003 and earned his bachelors degree in communication design from Texas State University in 2006.